Chafeys Childminders

Chafeys Childminders Presently closed due to health reasons. Registered childminder with over 20 years experience. I care for 3 children under 5. Graded outstanding by Ofsted.

I work with an assistant to care for 6 children under 5 + out of school
Graded outstanding by Ofsted.

05/09/2025

I am feeling a lot better and more mobile and
I will be starting at Humpty's House pre school a bank worker to 'dip my toe back into childcare '.
Feeling excited 😊

24/06/2025

Hello, knee update;
I was due to have my knee replacement next month, July 2025, so I have been exercising hard to get fit for the operation as the fitter you are before, the quicker you heal afterwards.
I did very well, so well infact that I have postponed the operation for 6 months as my pain levels have dropped so much.
I can now walk 10 - 15,000 steps a day, walk up and down hills and steps and have gone from using 2 crutches to one stick.
I am even going on my first holiday in 5 years soon!
I still have some issues, I get pain at night and restricted movement so I am still unable to re register as a childminder but I am able to work if you know of any part time jobs going.
Hopefully my fitness and knees health will continue to improve and I can delay a knee replacement for several years.

10/09/2024

Knee update;
I had some extra bolts fitted to my thigh in July last year to pull the bones together.
It worked really well and the bone knitted and became much more stable.
I had them removed in December as they were causing issues, sticking out and rubbing on my tendons.
At the follow up appointment in February this year I was told it was healed enough to have the knee replacement but due to weight gain I had to lose 20kg first.
I asked how long after I lost the weight I could have it done and he said "it's a 6 month wait so I'll put you on the wait list now, and if in 6 months you've lost the weight, you'll be at the top of the list ".
Fast forward 6 months, I've lost the weight, expecting to be told I'd have my operation in the next few weeks.
But no, I wasn't put on the list 6 months ago, I am just joining it now so another 6 - 8 months to wait.
On the plus side, I can walk much better, only 1 crutch and I can do 10,000 steps a day.
I still have issues with stairs and slopes and uneven ground but I can sit for longer as the spike at the back of my thigh has smoothed off.
I have been keeping myself busy making ( please follow my new page) and selling them at Artisan Island in town.

03/05/2023

I saw 2 orthopedic surgeons today, Mr Findlay and Mr Smith, both agree that I can't have my knee replacement surgery in Dorchester with the femoral nail in place and the break has not healed enough to remove it. 😢
They usually wait 2 years post opp to remove metalwork from bones, then another year for it to recover before fitting a new knee.
I really don't want to be in limbo for another 2 years + so I'm pinning my hopes on Mr Mitchell at Bristol hospital, who straightened my leg and told me I could have a knee replacement with the nail in place to do it in Bristol sooner than that.

Disappointing news at my follow up appointment today, the bone doesn't look like it's healed enough to remove the metalw...
29/03/2023

Disappointing news at my follow up appointment today, the bone doesn't look like it's healed enough to remove the metalwork so they can fit a new knee, I need a CT scan to be sure so I might be another few months in limbo.
They told me at my last appointment that the new knee could be fitted with the metalwork in place, I'm not sure why they have changed their mind.
I'm going to need to do some paid work soon, for my bank balance and my sanity!
I'm still on crutches so I can't do childcare, I can walk and stand a little bit more now, I still can't drive very far as sitting is still uncomfortable.
I need a local job where I just need to be there, be able to sit with my leg raised or walk about when needed and not have to carry anything.....
Nothing is coming to mind 🤔

I've just had my follow up appointment in Bristol, my leg is now straight but the sharp bones sticking out will take 1 -...
31/08/2022

I've just had my follow up appointment in Bristol, my leg is now straight but the sharp bones sticking out will take 1 - 2 years to dissolve and my knee is more painful than before and needs replacing. 😞
I have to wait 6 months for my leg to heal before I can have a new knee but the waiting list is longer than that so it's going to be a quite while yet before I can work again. 😢

30/06/2022

I have a operation date!
18th July, fingers crossed it doesn't get postponed.
🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

02/11/2021

Ofsted called me yesterday to arrange an inspection with no children on role.
Unfortunately, due to my present predicament, I am unable to complete the practical side of a first aid course, 2 minutes on the floor giving CPR, so I cannot have a new certificate.
This means that I would get 'not met' for my inspection as it is a requirement so instead I will be resigning as a childminder.
When I have been fixed, which could well be over a year, and if I feel able to return to childminding I will reregister.
Thank you to all my hundreds of babies and children and their families over the last 26 years, I shall miss you all so much ###

24/09/2021

Update on my progress, or lack of...
Mr Garrett cannot give me a new knee because my femur is too bent and twisted.
He recommended Mr Jackson in Bristol, an orthopaedic trauma surgeon who specialises in old breaks than need work.
I have now been referred to his NHS clinic, he doesn't have a private practice, so now we wait!

It's been very quiet here the last 2 weeks, my arthritic knee has waved a white flag and given up.Because I had a sterio...
14/06/2021

It's been very quiet here the last 2 weeks, my arthritic knee has waved a white flag and given up.
Because I had a steriod injection 3 weeks ago I have to wait 11 weeks before I can have a knee replacement so I am going to be closed for about 6 months.
If all goes well I will be back childminding in early 2022.
Thank you to all my babies and parents for all your support 💕

Address

31 Chafeys Avenue
Weymouth
DT40EQ

Telephone

01305782489

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